Betrayed By The Billionaire

16

Standing beside her, Yasmine was fuming. "Maya is totally out of line. She’ll say anything just to kiss Ava’s heels."

Nadia took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. "Let them talk. Their day of reckoning is coming."

Just a few more days, she thought. Just a few more days and my father will swallow the Bishop family’s shares. He’ll be the new CEO of the Bishop Group.

When that happened, Chloe would be dragged off her pedestal. With Nadia's own beauty and talent, she would finally rise to become the city's new #1 Socialite. Ava only had a better family background—let's see how arrogant she remains once that gap closes. Every person who laughed today would pay a hundredfold.

At this moment, the high-society matrons had gathered around the Grayson elders, and the debutantes were being summoned by their mothers. The women present were all daughters of prestigious houses; they had their pride. Even if they were infatuated with a man, they wouldn't shamelessly throw themselves at him—Nadia’s earlier failure was a grim reminder of that.

Their strategy was subtle: display their elegance, intelligence, and grace to win over the influential mothers and grandmothers.

However, the "little puppy" in Madam Grayson’s arms seemed like a perfect shortcut to Xavier.

Unfortunately, they soon realized the boy was just as difficult as his father. No matter how much they cooed or offered toys, he wouldn't even give them a passing glance.

Maya, thinking she was clever, tried to win him over with a plate of colorful macarons. Irritated by the noise and the intrusion, the little boy grabbed a cupcake and hurled it straight at her face.

The cake splattered across Maya’s expensive makeup, leaving her in a sticky, humiliated mess. She nearly burst into tears of shame. Madam Grayson quickly apologized and signaled the maids to take Maya away to clean up.

Watching this from her mother’s side, Nadia felt her mood lift slightly. If no one could get close to the boy, at least she wasn't the only failure.

Looking at the child who didn't cry, laugh, or speak, a thought rippled through the crowd: Is the kid a mute?

Across the hall, the men were gathered, drinking and networking while sizing up the eligible ladies.

Xavier sat slightly apart from the main group, his powerful aura creating a natural barrier that made him look isolated, yet impossible to ignore.

Chloe stood up from the piano and began her walk toward the Grayson elders.

"Is that... Chloe Bishop? What is she doing here?"

The name "Chloe Bishop" acted like a magnet, pulling every eye in the room toward her.

She moved with an effortless grace in her lavender gown. Her light makeup highlighted her striking features, and her skin was so radiant it seemed to glow under the chandeliers. Her long, slender legs were visible through the slit in her dress as she walked.

Her beauty was breathtaking—the kind that made every other woman in the room feel like a background character.

Nadia and Ava both felt a sharp pang of resentment. Whenever Chloe appeared at a gala, everyone else became a mere foil. She had an infuriating habit of stealing the spotlight without even trying.

Maya, having returned in a fresh dress, hissed with pure jealousy, "She just got dumped by Liam Martin. How does she have the face to show up here?"

Ava’s expression darkened. "Maya, watch your mouth."

Just then, a young heir from a prominent family sighed in admiration. "No wonder she’s the top socialite. She completely outshines everyone the moment she enters a room."

A mocking laugh erupted from the group of men. "Beautiful, sure. But she’s damaged goods now, isn't she?"

It was Leo Bishop, Arthur’s son and Nadia’s brother.

Leo didn't lower his voice. He wanted Chloe to hear, and he wanted everyone else to listen.

The socialites, the matrons, and even the elders turned to look at him.

Leo smirked, his voice dripping with malice. "There are things you outsiders don't know. Chloe Bishop crawled into Liam Martin’s bed before she even turned eighteen. After six years, Liam probably just got bored of playing with her."

He threw an arm around the shoulder of the young heir who had praised her. "Buddy, if you don't mind wearing someone else's 'discarded shoes,' feel free to take her home."

The young heir looked embarrassed and immediately put on a face of disgust. "I had no idea she was that loose. Who would ever want a woman like that in their family?"

The men in the circle nodded. In their world, a woman's reputation was everything. You could be experienced, but if it was public knowledge that you were "used and discarded," no powerful man would ever officially marry you. It was a matter of pride.

Listening to the vile comments, the blood drained from Chloe’s face. She used every ounce of her upbringing to keep from walking over and slapping Leo across his mouth. How can a man be this disgusting?

She looked toward Xavier, her heart in her throat. He was facing away from the crowd, focused on a phone call. He didn't seem to notice the commotion.

Chloe exhaled in relief, but her pulse spiked again when she realized Madam Grayson was looking directly at her, her eyes unreadable.

Damn you, Leo Bishop...

Suddenly, a deep, resonant voice rang out from behind Leo, filled with icy contempt.

"Leo Bishop, if I recall correctly, Chloe is your cousin. For a brother to slander his own sister like this... is your brain leaking?"

"Besides," the man continued, stepping into the light, "you’re supposed to be a man. Don't act like a petty, gossiping hag. You’re an embarrassment to our gender."

The room went silent. Leo’s face turned from red to a sickly purple. He pointed a shaking finger at the newcomer. "Who the hell are you? This is none of your business!"

The man looked down at Leo as if he were an insect. "Julian. And trust me, you aren't important enough to need to know my name."

Leo’s fists clenched, but he didn't dare strike. This was the Grayson estate, and Xavier was just a few yards away.

Just then, Julian’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, and his expression turned grim.

Chloe stared at him. He looked familiar—the jawline, the steady gaze—but she couldn't quite place where she had seen him.

After hanging up, Julian stared at Chloe for a few seconds, a flash of something soft in his eyes, before he turned and hurriedly left the mansion.

"Hmph, lucky for him he ran," Leo spat at his back. "Otherwise, I would have killed him."

Someone in the crowd chuckled. "Careful, Leo. That was Julian. If he hadn't left, you’d be the one leaving in an ambulance."

Leo went silent instantly.

Julian... so it really was him.

Chloe realized then why he felt so familiar. He was the "big brother" who used to protect her when they were kids. He hadn't changed; he was still the same person who looked out for her.

But she couldn't dwell on the past. She had a mission. Chloe pulled her gaze away and took a steady step toward Madam Grayson.

In a room full of women, there were always a few who lacked basic decency, and Chloe was about to walk right into their crosshairs.